Well there are books to refer to. The method I use for agitation is as follows.

I use Paterson tanks and 35mm film. First, I fill the tank with water at the same temperature as the developer (usually 68F) and let it 'soak' for a few minutes. This allows the emulsion to become wet and helps to prevent uneven development.

After pouring out the water and letting it drain, I pour in the developer (I dilute my developer to attain a developing time of at least 8 minutes (10-12 is close to ideal) , to lengthen development time and help ensure even development) and invert and rotate the tank gently for about 20 seconds, ending with a good thump on the table that I use (please use a think towel to help avoid cracking the plastic). Thereafter, I agitate twice, once per minute, again inverting and rotating the tank gently. The tank should be motionless most of the time.Most errors in agitation are those of excess.

About 30 seconds before the time is up, I pour out the developer and pour in acetic acid stop bath. Do not use plain water; use stop bath.

After about a minute or so, I pour out the stop bath and pour in rapid fixer and fix for the appropriate time.

- Agitation is important.
- There is no "standard agitation method". Every manufacturer recommends something different.
- Times in the tables are not accurate because they do not mention what agitation was used.

I would also like to be able to add times for push processing an N+ or N- adjustments.

One of the other things that would be very helpful would be the ability to add my own developer info to the "My Times" section. In other words, I'd like to be able to choose a film and add a developer that is not listed in the developers with that film in the chart. For instance: I like PMK with Ilford Ortho+, but I can't use the App for it because I can't choose PMK to add to My Times. Do I have to add the info to the main chart to be able to select it? This is a bit awkward, because my App doesn't update. I was an earlier purchaser.

foolscape wrote:Very true. Different developers call for different agitation.

I would also like to be able to add times for push processing an N+ or N- adjustments.

One of the other things that would be very helpful would be the ability to add my own developer info to the "My Times" section.

In other words, I'd like to be able to choose a film and add a developer that is not listed in the developers with that film in the chart. For instance: I like PMK with Ilford Ortho+, but I can't use the App for it because I can't choose PMK to add to My Times.Do I have to add the info to the main chart to be able to select it?

This is a bit awkward, because my App doesn't update. I was an earlier purchaser.

foolscape wrote:Do I have to add the info to the main chart to be able to select it?

This is a bit awkward, because my App doesn't update. I was an earlier purchaser.

--Gary.

I'm sure that Jon Mided will answer if this can be done.

I'm not sure if I was clear on this point. I didn't mean adding it to the main chart solely on my App, I meant submitting the information for inclusion to the chart on this site, which I've done in the past.

Most manufacturers recommend initial continuous agitation of 30-60 seconds followed by 5-10 seconds or 3-4 rotations per minute. Times listed in the chart which do not comply with this methodology have specific agitation methods which are shown in the individual notes for the particular film/dev combination.

If you suspect that there is an error in the chart, then you should either use the online form or contact us by email to report it.

- Agitation is important.
- There is no "standard agitation method". Every manufacturer recommends something different.
- Times in the tables are not accurate because they do not mention what agitation was used.

Do you agree?

If you are talking about 'standard' developers (powder-type developers such as D-76 or ID-11, Microphen, UFG, Acufine, etc., or liquid concentrates such as HC-110 or Ilford liquid developers), this agitation method should work for you. As I said, most agitation errors are of over-agitation. Over-agitation will create streaks with 35mm film. Don't think that agitation is some magic procedure. It isn't. Two gentle inversions once per minute is all that is necessary.

The method I use is basically the same as that recommended by many manufacturers, with extremely minor variations. It is therefore 'standard'. With Paterson tanks it seems to work well. The most important thing is to get the development time up to at least 8 minutes, preferably more. The longer the development time, the more even and consistent your development will be. A 30 second error on a 6 minute development time is more than a 30 second error with a 12-minute development time. One can get a longer development time by diluting the developer more or by adding a small amount of boric acid to the solution. Trial and error will be necessary to get the amount right.